While Allen yesterday was outside breaking his silence with the press concerning his new job as the Argonauts' clip-board holder, Bishop was inside the dressing room treating his receivers to a feast of fried chicken.

After more than two decades of an illustrious Hall of Fame career, Allen knows this much -- keep your pass-catchers happy!

It's a lesson Bishop seems to have taken to heart.

"I told them, since we were going to be here all day, I'd pick up lunch," Bishop said with a laugh.

Since being informed earlier in the week that he was being bumped as the No. 1 pivot in favour of Bishop, Allen had kept his thoughts to himself -- until yesterday.

All the while, he was forced to read various reports that he was bitter.

Not true, Allen said.

"I apologize for not speaking, but I wanted to take a couple of days to collect my thoughts and address it the right way," he said. "I remain dedicated to the team and helping it win a championship any way I can.

"There are some things you can't control. The things I can control is what I do on the field. And obviously it wasn't enough.

"But I'm not going to gripe. I'm a competitor and remain as dedicated to this team as ever."

Allen wanted to wait until the proper time before meeting the media, citing his older brother Marcus as an example. After leaving Oakland thanks, in part to an acrimonious split with Raiders owner Al Davis, Marcus Allen did not address the issue for a lengthy period.

"He waited four years until speaking out about Al Davis," Damon said. "When he did, he picked the perfect stage because the Raiders were on Monday Night Football that night."

Allen allowed himself to chuckle. Maybe he finally is coming to grips with taking a back seat to Bishop heading into tomorrow night's showdown with the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

"Damon and I talked about all this (Wednesday)," Bishop said. "He said it's all about winning a championship. He said he'll let us know what he sees from the sidelines."

Allen does not expect to be involved in a platoon situation.

"To my knowledge, that hasn't been expressed," he said."

Bishop won't be the only new starter. Veteran John Avery gets the call at running back while opening-game starter Jamal White nurses a shoulder injury.